Australia
Accommodations and Accessibility
Early planning is key. First, it’s important to know that options for accommodations vary by country, city, and university. This makes it important to share your requests for academic, mental health, diet, religious practices, housing, physical disabilities, and other accommodations early in the planning process. Connect with your IFSA Enrollment Counselor or with our Health, Safety and Wellness team at hsw@ifsa-butler.org as soon as possible. You can also meet with our regional Health, Safety, and Wellbeing Manager, who knows Australia well (schedule a call).
Accommodations. The information you share on your health and wellness and housing forms supports this process. After receiving these forms, our Health and Wellness team will follow up with you as needed to help you arrange accommodations you may need. Our goal is to plan carefully with your help, working together with our Australia team as needed, to make sure your needs will be met before you depart.
Academic accommodations. We’ll help you understand the steps you need to take to request accommodations with your university in Australia. Your IFSA Enrollment Counselor and our Health and Wellness team are available to help you plan, and our Australia team will be available throughout your program.
Medications. Students can bring a three-month supply of prescription medication into Australia, unless the medication is restricted (learn more). If you need additional medication, you’ll need to see a local doctor for a new prescription.
Insurance. In addition to Cultural Insurance Services International (CISI) insurance, IFSA also organises university insurance (OSHC)—mandatory— for Australian program participants.
More to explore:
Mental and Physical Health
Maintaining your mental and physical health while abroad is a priority, and we’re ready to help you plan to support both.
Mental health. Your IFSA student insurance policy through CISI provides coverage for counseling and medical care for pre-existing mental health conditions. Students who are in therapy or counseling can arrange to work with a mental health provider in Australia. Learn about our Health Safety and Wellness team. Your IFSA Enrollment Counselor is also an excellent resource.
Activities that support mental and physical health involve exercise, participating in sports or clubs at your university, and creative activities such as writing, music or dance. The IFSA team can share opportunities and resources for students to consider.
Sports and fitness. Sports are an integral part of Australian culture. Due to the warm climate, Australia boasts a year-round outdoor lifestyle that’s ideal for participants and spectators alike. Popular outdoor sports include cricket, Aussie Rules football, horse racing, tennis, motor sports, and more.
Check with the IFSA team about CISI insurance coverage for injuries sustained during sports. Coverage is generally broad but there are exceptions for high-level competition.
With IFSA, you’ll have opportunities to experience world-class sporting and fitness facilities and join sports clubs and social teams. All universities offer a variety of sports and recreational activities at intramural and competitive levels. Some also offer fitness classes. Gym access costs about $80/month. Most are co-ed with no separate workout areas for different genders. Universities aim to be LGBTQIA+ safe spaces and this extends to their sports facilities. Women-only gyms are often available off-campus. Learn more about diversity and inclusion regarding gyms and sports.
Faith Communities
Studying abroad will likely introduce you to new religions and faith communities around the world. If you plan to practice your religion abroad, consider researching the customs, laws, and places of worship at your destination.
Australia is typically considered to be accepting of all religions. It is considered a Christian and mainly Protestant country, though religious observance has declined. Through contact with missionaries and missions, many indigenous Australians also practice Christianity. Australia has undergone extensive immigration in recent years, making it one of the most religiously diverse societies in the world. Many faiths including Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism are practiced, particularly in larger cities.
Most universities in Australia offer a variety of faith-based organizations and student-led organizations, as well as prayer space, churches, and synagogues. Check your university website or explore these national resources:
- Australian Federation of Islamic Councils
- Islam Australia
- Jewish Australia
- Jewish Australia – Synagogues and Congregations
- KAHAL: Your Jewish Home Abroad
- Australian Christian Churches
- Christianity Today Australia
- Countries and Their Cultures: Australia
Considerations for Women
Gender roles and norms in Australia are similar to those in the United States. Assumptions of traditional gender roles where men are primary earners and women take more responsibility for childcare and housework exist. Social gender issues are also like what we experience in the U.S. Women are not equally represented in government (about 32% of parliament is represented by women), but Australia’s first female prime minister held office from 2010-2013. Widely discussed social gender issues include the gender pay gap and retirement fund gap.
By international standards, Australia is considered a relatively safe country. Crime rates are generally low, with petty theft and pickpocketing the most common crimes students encounter.
Australia has casual dress norms. Women commonly wear shorts or pants. It is less common for students to wear sweatpants or active wear to classes than in the U.S.
Health practitioners are widely available and sexual and reproductive health checks are done by general practitioners. Contraception is widely available and can be prescribed by general practitioners.
Female-only spaces are widely available. Most universities offer female-only clubs, social groups, and sports leagues.
Race and Ethnicity
The ethnic and racial landscape in Australia is rich and complex. One quarter of Australians were born overseas and more than 40% of Australians have a parent born overseas, with much influence from Europe and Asia according to census data. Some challenges include colonialism, indigenous rights, and immigration.
Australia is home to hundreds of Aboriginal Nations, each with its own culture, language, and traditions. Colonization of Australia had a devastating impact on indigenous people, who have a very close relationship with the land. The Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies is a robust resource for history, culture, language, rights, and more. You can also explore the Multicultural Access and Equity Policy, the primary vehicle for ensuring government programs and services respond to the needs of Australia’s diverse population.
It is not uncommon for U.S. students to have their first experience as an outsider in Australia, because of their status as American. Often this is in addition to or instead of experiencing “otherness” as a person of color. This is also reported by international students who attend college in the U.S. and are studying in Australia on a short-term basis.
To find community:
- Research cultural affinity societies at the student union.
- Ask IFSA team members for suggestions.
- Find more tips at Australia’s National Youth Mental Health Foundation, and for BIPOC travelers check out Minor Nomad.
Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity
While there are still pockets of intolerance around the country, Australia is generally on par with the United States in terms of LGBTQIA+ acceptance. Major cities have thriving LGBTQIA+ communities and each state has its own pride festival. While it’s difficult to know the exact number of LGBTQIA+ people living in Australia, the Australian Human Rights Commission estimates 11% of Australia’s population (about 2.5 million people) identify as LGBTQIA+. LGBTQIA+ awareness is becoming more widespread and marriage equality legislation was passed in 2017.
Each university offers a variety of student groups, clubs, and organizations—including LGBTQIA+ organizations—that you can join as an IFSA student. Explore these resources:
- Australian Pride Network
- Australian Lesbian and Gay Archives
- Intersex International Australia
- Say It Out Loud
- Acon Health Inclusion for Diverse Communities
- Transgender People and Airport Security
More Support
From help managing money abroad to supporting first-generation college students, our professional advising staff and onsite teams are here for you.
- Australia refers to their first-generation college students as “first in family.”
- The cost of living in Australia is comparable to the United States but expect considerable differences in living costs from city to city.
- On a budget? Ask your IFSA team in Australia for a list of free and more affordable activities.
Student Perspectives
Read about living and learning in Australia: Student Stories.